36 THE AMERICAN BISON IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA. 



YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK. 



Yellowstone National Park, 



Office of Superintendent, 

 Mammoth Hot Springs, Wyo. , February 25, 1902. 

 Sir: Referring to the Senate resolution calling for information rel- 

 ative to the remaining buffalo in the United States and Canada, I have 

 the honor to submit the following report: 



Buffalo now living in this section of the United States are distrib- 

 ted as follows: 



Running wild in the Yellowstone Park 22 



In captivity at Yellowstone Lake, owned by Mr. E. C. Waters 4 



In captivity at Henrys Lake, Idaho, owned by Mr. R. W. Rock 4 



On Flathead Reservation, Mont., or in vicinity, about 300 



Total 330 



The herd referred to in your indorsement dated February 1, 1902, 

 as owned by Conrad Brothers, of Great Falls, Mont., is located at 

 Kalispell, near the Flathead Agency. It is included in the number 

 300 on or near the agenc}^ 



The number, 22, given as running wild in the Yellowstone Park 

 were recently definitely located on the head of Pelican Creek, by our 

 scouts. There are probably a few more in the park, and an effort will 

 be made in a few days, when the conditions are more favorable, to 

 definitely fix the entire number. 



It was reported to me that there was a herd on the Cheyenne River 

 Agency, and I wrote to the man who was supposed to be the owner of 

 this herd for information concerning it, but as yet have received no 

 reply from him. 



I inclose herewith a copy of the letter from Mr. W. H. Smead, of 

 the Flathead Agency, and also copy of an extract from an article pub- 

 lished November 10, 1900, in the Boston Evening Transcript, by Mr. 

 Mark Sullivan. It is believed that Mr. Sullivan's figures are very 

 nearly correct. 



Very respectfully, Jno. Pitchek, 



Major, Sixth Cavalry, Acting Superintendent. 



The Secretary of the Interior, 



Washington, D. C. 



United States Indian Service, 

 Jocko, Mont., Flathead Agency, February 14, 1902. 

 Dear Sir: Your valued favor of 11th at hand, and I thank you for the infor- 

 mation relative to buffalo. I hope I may be able to make an exchange with some 

 person who has some desirable bulls, and thus be improving the grade of animals. 



1 have not received any communication from the honorable -Secretary making 

 inquiries relative to the buffalo of this reservation. It is my understanding that we 

 have the largest herd here now in existence, and in a prosperous condition, number- 

 ing over 200 head. 



This herd formerly had nearly 300 head, but the settling of an estate owning one- 

 half of them has caused a part of them to be sold, Messrs. Conrad Brothers, of 

 whom you speak, having purchased about 30 of them, and the Northern Live Stock 

 Company, of Missoula, another 30 head, while some few have been peddled out. I 

 think, however, those sold to above-mentioned parties are in good hands and will 

 continue to breed them. 



